Marty Yaskowich- Strategic Planning & Scaling Up
- CEO Growth Coaching
- Senior Leadership Development
- Company Health Assessments
Marty Yaskowich
Growth Advisor
Marty’s 20+ year career has shaped him as a valued strategic partner. As a former broadcaster and journalist, he brings innate curiosity to business and the interpersonal dynamics of leadership teams. Marty is cognizant of the workings of a team and how to build high-functioning, high-performing teams, while enjoying fun and success along the way. Confidence is a key thrust of Marty’s coaching and consulting practice. He wants to cultivate leaders who are confident in their strategies, their people, their judgements, and ability to make changes: in themselves, in their teams and in their businesses.
Marty spent 12 years at critically-acclaimed DDB Canada where he was responsible for leading both the integrated planning and innovation mandate for the agency as well as lead of the digital and social media practice (Tribal Worldwide). Marty led the strategic planning that launched Canada’s first full-online insurance company (Sonnet.ca), helped revitalize a dated brand (Capital One) and helped launch one of America’s beloved department stores (Nordstrom) into the Canadian market. More recently Marty was the Chief Operating Officer for iQmetrix, a $50 million retail software company that powers more than 20,000 retail stores for Verizon, Sprint, TELUS, Charter and COX.
Marty knows how isolating leadership can be for CEOs and Executive teams. As an ICF-certified (ACC) executive coach, he wants to be a trusted, critical thinking partner to leaders who are trying to grow and thrive and build generationally-resilient businesses. He also wants the leaders he works with to be able to balance the demands of work with the joy and abundance that comes from having strong mental and physical interests and resilience outside of work.
When he’s not in the Boardroom coaching and consulting with clients, he can be found coaching on the sidelines (high school football, hockey, baseball and/or soccer) and has been chasing ’scratch’ on the golf course for many years. Marty has taught social media governance in UBC’s Continuing Studies program. He’s a semi-retired marathoner and triathlete, having completed more than 4 marathons and an Ironman triathlon among many other races that have challenged his physical and mental fortitude. He and his wife have a place in Osoyoos where they spend a lot of time in the summer wakesurfing with their teenaged son and his friends.
Testimonials
I met Kevin at a point in my business when we were experiencing tremendous growth, and we were all rowing in different directions. My inability to translate the strategic plan to all employees was preventing us from achieving full potential as a business and as individual contributors. Kevin has helped us transform how we look at and manage our business with practical and simple steps that has enthusiastically involved more people in the business than ever. He has demonstrated his natural ability to work and engage all levels of employees and has held us accountable to ourselves and each other. Thanks Kevin! Angela Santiago
CEO, The Little Potato Company Ltd.
I have been working with Kevin since 2003. Kevin has helped me move through the asteroid belt of my life. He stopped me from selling my company for $1.00 to go to sell T-shirts on the beach and encouraged me to keep my business, setting it up the way I wanted, allowing me to grow it and leverage it to do good in the world. I now have the freedom that all entrepreneurs dream of, and I am able to spend quality time with my family and work only on things I enjoy and that bring great meaning to my life. I owe everything to Kevin.Nigel Bennett
Founder, Aqua-Guard
I was fortunate that my path crossed with Coach Kevin more than thirteen years ago. I was in a dark place in my life despite the fact that everything appeared to be all right on the surface. My business was doing very well, but my success was not bringing me as much joy and satisfaction, if any, as I thought it would. Kevin helped me discover that I needed to take care of myself first, follow my passions, and get rid of my demons by facing them head on. It hasn’t happened overnight, and it is an ongoing process, but it’s one that I embrace. I am able to use Kevin’s feedback, tools, and techniques as a compass to make the best possible decisions to stay on course in my business and in my life. I approach this journey with gratitude, excitement, passion, and a hunger for what’s to come. I no longer measure my wealth in dollars and cents. Instead, I now measure it by the amount of precious time I am able to spend with my loved ones, making memories that are absolutely priceless!Vince D’Agostino
President, Mayfield Financial Services
Elizabeth Dutton- Strategic Planning & Scaling Up
- CEO Growth Coaching
- Senior Leadership Development
- Company Health Assessments
Elizabeth Dutton
Growth Advisor
Helping others achieve their best gets Elizabeth up in the morning. Whether it’s coaching in the boardroom or on the soccer pitch, Elizabeth excels at instituting processes and shaping cultures to help people and organisations solve problems, identify opportunities and achieve results. Her proudest moments are seeing others surpass their own expectations.
Having worked for organisations large and small in Toronto, New York, Seattle and London, Elizabeth has leadership experience across a myriad of business teams and cultures. Now in Victoria, B.C, Elizabeth served as VP Digital for Black Press, the largest privately held Canadian media company. As VP, she revamped their digital strategy and grew their online classified business, resulting in record, year over year growth.
For the last six years, Elizabeth has been a founding/managing partner with Women’s Equity Lab, a series of international female venture funds across Canada and the US. This organisation introduces women accredited investors into angel investing and has since supported over 40 start-ups with seed capital. She has also served as a mentor, advisor and board member for numerous start-ups in various verticals, such as consumer packaged goods, green tech, healthcare and education.
When not at work, Elizabeth can be found coaching soccer, playing golf or volunteering. Elizabeth was a member of the International Advisory Board for the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria and is currently a member of the Operational Planning Group for Kids in the Spotlight, a program that supports childhood development.
Elizabeth holds a B.Comm (Hons.) from Queen’s University and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at the Ivy League, Dartmouth College.
Testimonials
I met Kevin at a point in my business when we were experiencing tremendous growth, and we were all rowing in different directions. My inability to translate the strategic plan to all employees was preventing us from achieving full potential as a business and as individual contributors. Kevin has helped us transform how we look at and manage our business with practical and simple steps that has enthusiastically involved more people in the business than ever. He has demonstrated his natural ability to work and engage all levels of employees and has held us accountable to ourselves and each other. Thanks Kevin! Angela Santiago
CEO, The Little Potato Company Ltd.
I have been working with Kevin since 2003. Kevin has helped me move through the asteroid belt of my life. He stopped me from selling my company for $1.00 to go to sell T-shirts on the beach and encouraged me to keep my business, setting it up the way I wanted, allowing me to grow it and leverage it to do good in the world. I now have the freedom that all entrepreneurs dream of, and I am able to spend quality time with my family and work only on things I enjoy and that bring great meaning to my life. I owe everything to Kevin.Nigel Bennett
Founder, Aqua-Guard
I was fortunate that my path crossed with Coach Kevin more than thirteen years ago. I was in a dark place in my life despite the fact that everything appeared to be all right on the surface. My business was doing very well, but my success was not bringing me as much joy and satisfaction, if any, as I thought it would. Kevin helped me discover that I needed to take care of myself first, follow my passions, and get rid of my demons by facing them head on. It hasn’t happened overnight, and it is an ongoing process, but it’s one that I embrace. I am able to use Kevin’s feedback, tools, and techniques as a compass to make the best possible decisions to stay on course in my business and in my life. I approach this journey with gratitude, excitement, passion, and a hunger for what’s to come. I no longer measure my wealth in dollars and cents. Instead, I now measure it by the amount of precious time I am able to spend with my loved ones, making memories that are absolutely priceless!Vince D’Agostino
President, Mayfield Financial Services
Chris Howe- Strategic Planning & Scaling Up
- CEO Growth Coaching
- Senior Leadership Development
- Company Health Assessments
Chris Howe
Growth Advisor
For Chris, strategy is the sweet spot. With more than a decade of strategic expertise, Chris approaches strategic coaching with a motivation to unlock leadership potential by empowering executive teams to face the brutal facts and commit to momentous growth. He has solved strategic and operational challenges in Retail, Food tech, Edtech, and Aviation.
Known for his ability to get to the heart of the matter with thoughtful and probing questioning, Chris holds teams accountable to critical and challenging questions. He has developed his strategic lens through the ’Scaling Up Methodology,’ and Jim Collins’ principles, and in his work as a counsellor. He prioritizes practical frameworks to facilitate enduring change. Above all, Chris is motivated by quality and human curiosity.
A former professional athlete, he brings a pursuit of excellence from the sports arena into the business world. Chris spends his free time outside with his dog, Penny, listening to audiobooks or working with his hands, good tunes in the background.
Testimonials
I met Kevin at a point in my business when we were experiencing tremendous growth, and we were all rowing in different directions. My inability to translate the strategic plan to all employees was preventing us from achieving full potential as a business and as individual contributors. Kevin has helped us transform how we look at and manage our business with practical and simple steps that has enthusiastically involved more people in the business than ever. He has demonstrated his natural ability to work and engage all levels of employees and has held us accountable to ourselves and each other. Thanks Kevin! Angela Santiago
CEO, The Little Potato Company Ltd.
I have been working with Kevin since 2003. Kevin has helped me move through the asteroid belt of my life. He stopped me from selling my company for $1.00 to go to sell T-shirts on the beach and encouraged me to keep my business, setting it up the way I wanted, allowing me to grow it and leverage it to do good in the world. I now have the freedom that all entrepreneurs dream of, and I am able to spend quality time with my family and work only on things I enjoy and that bring great meaning to my life. I owe everything to Kevin.Nigel Bennett
Founder, Aqua-Guard
I was fortunate that my path crossed with Coach Kevin more than thirteen years ago. I was in a dark place in my life despite the fact that everything appeared to be all right on the surface. My business was doing very well, but my success was not bringing me as much joy and satisfaction, if any, as I thought it would. Kevin helped me discover that I needed to take care of myself first, follow my passions, and get rid of my demons by facing them head on. It hasn’t happened overnight, and it is an ongoing process, but it’s one that I embrace. I am able to use Kevin’s feedback, tools, and techniques as a compass to make the best possible decisions to stay on course in my business and in my life. I approach this journey with gratitude, excitement, passion, and a hunger for what’s to come. I no longer measure my wealth in dollars and cents. Instead, I now measure it by the amount of precious time I am able to spend with my loved ones, making memories that are absolutely priceless!Vince D’Agostino
President, Mayfield Financial Services
Tim Dumas- Strategic Planning & Scaling Up
- CEO Growth Coaching
- Leadership Education
Tim Dumas
Growth Advisor
Tim approaches his work as a coach with magnanimity – a calling to bring out the greatness in others, and to support entrepreneurs in creating corporate cultures that support the fulfillment of people’s dreams.
His greatest satisfaction comes from helping clients to live with greater self-awareness, and purpose aligned with their priorities.
This people-centric approach is grounded in his deep experience in owner-operated businesses building to scale, and in Family-owned, Retail, Hospitality, Tourism, Charitable and Professional Services sectors.
A Certified Coach, Speaker & Trainer with the John Maxwell Team, Tim is also a Certified Facilitator & Trainer with the Extreme Leadership Institute, a Partner & Consultant with the Virtuous Leadership Institute, a Forum Chair with MacKay CEO Forums, and a Partner & COO with JAK’s Beer Wine & Spirits.
When not coaching in the board room, Tim can be found on the field, enthusiastically coaching soccer with South Delta United, and football with the South Delta Rams. He and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Tsawwassen, BC, just outside of Vancouver, with their six children.
Get to Know Tim
Our founder Kevin conducted an interview to get to know Tim. Here is a list of the clips if you’d like to learn more about Tim, or watch the full video below.
- Intro
- Where did you grow up?
- What was your first job?
- What excites you to get out of bed?
- Who has had the biggest impact on your leadership?
- What made you want to become an advisor?
- How would you describe the work you do?
- What kinds of clients do you love to work with?
- What are your resilience rituals?
- What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
- Final thoughts
Testimonials
“Kevin Lawrence uses the term ‘burnout’. With his straightforward approach, Tim Dumas can get you from burnt out to the top of your game and then show you you’re capable of so much more.”
Kevin Hughes, Rail Business and Product Manager, Falcon Equipment
“Collaborating with Tim and the esteemed team at Lawrence & Co. has significantly transformed our business operations. Initially, despite our rapid growth, we found ourselves similar to a ship without a rudder—possessing immense potential yet lacking the strategic direction necessary for effective management. It was Tim’s insightful guidance that catalyzed the pivotal changes we required. His expert coaching and mentoring have been indispensable in facilitating our decision-making processes and steering our company towards a prosperous trajectory.”
Travis Jack, RSE, President, Evergreen Climate Solutions Inc
“Working alongside Tim has unequivocally marked the pinnacle of my professional journey. While I once prided myself on being a competent business owner with commendable results, ambition, and a positive work culture, it was only upon collaborating with Tim that I realized the boundless potential within myself and my team. Tim’s unwavering commitment to excellence has propelled us beyond mere adequacy, refining our vision, streamlining our strategies, and challenging the status quo to achieve unparalleled success. A year ago, the notion of achieving elite performance across all metrics within our chain seemed improbable, if not impossible. Yet, Tim’s guidance, astute leadership, and unwavering support have transformed that aspiration into a resounding reality. From bolstering our numbers to fostering a culture of excellence, Tim’s influence knows no bounds. To Tim, I extend my deepest gratitude for your invaluable mentorship, steadfast dedication, and genuine camaraderie. Chick-fil-A Byram owes a lot of our recent success to you.”
Morgan Tucker, Owner/Operator, Chick-fil-A Byram
Dean Ritchey- Strategic Planning & Scaling Up
- CEO Growth Coaching
- Senior Leadership Development
- Company Health Assessments
Dean Ritchey
Growth Advisor
A teacher at heart, Dean Ritchey brings specialized expertise from a career as a senior executive in the North American consumer goods/retail sector to his coaching practice.
Combined with a love for the dynamics of the business world, and an unbridled commitment to see people achieve the extraordinary, his passion lies in growth and development, as he works to enhance the skills of leadership teams, and challenge his clients to do – and be – more than they thought possible.
Dean earned a Bachelors of Business Management, and a Masters in Executive Management, and is skilled in the Rockefeller Habits, as a Coach, and a Continuous Improvement trainer.
Intrigued by the links between people’s passion for their work, and the results they generate, Dean focuses on building teams to increase engagement and deliver the results that impact a company’s long-term success. He believes that success is about making a conscious choice to execute the right decisions at the right time and loves discovering those opportunities with his clients.
Dean, a great reader of business books, loves soccer, running, hiking and fly fishing – and travelling in Mexico with his wife Rossy, and their two children.
Get to Know Dean
Our founder Kevin conducted an interview to get to know Dean. Here is a list of the clips if you’d like to learn more about Lance, or watch the full video below.
- Intro
- Where did you grow up?
- What was your first major job?
- What was your first major career?
- What gets you out of bed?
- Who has had the biggest impact on your leadership?
- What made you become an advisor?
- How would you describe the work you do/What is your sweet spot?
- What is your favourite kind of client?
- What is the single most powerful tool you use with clients?
- What are your resilience rituals?
- What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
- Closing
Testimonials
Dean is a master at engaging our team and setting us up to be better armed with what we must do to move forward. He instills confidence and direction as we continue to grow.Bruce Peters
Owner, Zazou Salon and Academy
As small business owners, one of the hardest things for us to do is to let go of the reins and be confident that the wagon will continue moving in the right direction. Dean has helped us plot the course we need and lift others into the drivers’ seat with measurable goals and a clear focus on the crucial numbers. Thanks Dean! Dave Morris
CFO, Sustainable Solutions
In working with Dean over the past two and a half years our revenue has more than doubled each year and our team has scaled from 20 to 80 people. Throughout all this growth we've been able to keep our leadership and company aligned and motivated due to regular coaching sessions with Dean. He's an integral part of our growth and our business. As a CEO it's a huge comfort walking into our annual and quarterly planning sessions knowing that we'll come out with great plans and results, and with Dean coaching us through it, I'll be free to contribute and participate. Greg Smith
B.Comm, Lawyer, Co-Founder & CEO, Thinkific
Kristin Hazzard- Organizational Leadership Development
- Topgrading & Talent Assessments
- Executive Coaching & Team Alignment
- Keynotes & Workshop Facilitation
Kristin Hazzard
Growth Advisor
As a coach and consultant to executives and leaders in high growth entrepreneurial organizations, Kristin Hazzard understands the importance of building and developing high-performing teams. Working with clients internationally, Kristin drives growth in organizations through assessing and developing talent, training leaders, and strengthening executive team alignment. She is an expert at solving complex people issues, navigating relationships and conflict, organizational leadership and development, and optimizing on opportunities to achieve positive results for her clients.
Drawing on a wide breadth of professional practice, a Master’s degree in Educational Practice, an entrepreneurial mindset and experience as an elite athlete, Kristin thinks strategically and focuses on the big picture achieved through measurable goal setting and execution. She is particularly adept at navigating and leveraging the individual and complementary personality styles and skills of people within high performing and cross functioning teams, in different scenarios.
With an affinity towards the psychology of leadership and being a true educator at heart, Kristin is motivated to help leaders grow and take massive action in their lives, both personally and professionally. As an accomplished speaker and best-selling co-author, Kristin inspires through her infectious passion and no-excuses mindset. She is heavily invested in the success of her clients and will roll up her sleeves to solve any challenges they may face and stretch them to achieve their highest potential. She does not accept mediocrity and holds her clients accountable to a high standard. Through her coaching, speaking, and advising, Kristin makes leaders better and ensures companies have high-performing teams needed for sustainable growth.
Get to Know Kristin
Our founder Kevin conducted an interview to get to know Kristin. Here is a list of the clips if you’d like to learn more about Kristin, or watch the full video below.
- Intro
- Where did you grow up?
- What was your first career?
- What excites you most to start your day?
- Who has had the biggest impact on your leadership?
- What made you become an advisor?
- How would you describe the work you do?
- What is your favourite kind of client?
- What is the most powerful tool you use with clients?
- What are your resilience rituals?
- What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
- Closing
Testimonials
The retreat created an environment to allow the group to bond so we are all on the same page to help drive this environment. Overall, I cannot say enough good things about the retreat. It was fantastic, long overdue and has created a new team spirit. Having you and Kevin facilitate really help steer and guide the team to the important items. I hope that we can work with you again on a leadership/operational team item. Kathy Cromey
Senior Human Resources Manager, The Little Potato Company
Our Senior Executive Team elected to have Kristin Hazzard and Kevin Lawrence coach our company’s Management team, comprised of 20+ team members. These sessions have occurred over the last 6 months, on a monthly basis. I am thrilled to say that these Leadership & Development sessions, based on Kevin’s book “Your Oxygen Mask First”, delivered highly impactful & relatable content. The exercises and group discussions proved to be dynamic changing in how our teams interact with one & other. Kristin & Kevin shared their experiences working with many business leaders in multiple industries, across the globe. Our teams gained a clear understanding on the many challenges we face daily and how to work through them to resolution. Kristin & Kevin are great communicators and are very natural speakers– they delivered course material patiently & thoroughly to a varied audience with multiple backgrounds & perspectives. Our staff have reported that they have gained great insight, are more effective communicators, are better at problem solving, and as managers have developed new approaches to their day to day operations. I would highly recommend Kristin Hazzard and Kevin Lawrence as coaches for any company wanting to improve their top echelon of management and leaders. Kirk Fisher, P. Eng.
MBA, Senior Vice President, Lark Group, CEO, HealthTech Connex